Lock strip license tag



1933- c. L. FORTINBERRY LOCK STRIP LICENSE TAG F iled March 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 CHARLES LFoRTmeERRY wwym 7, 1933. c. 1.. FORTINBERRY 1,934,598

LOCK STRIP LICENSE TAG Filed March 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 10 CHARLES L- FORTINBERRY v Nov. 7, 1933.

C. L. FORTINBERRY LOCK STRIP LICENSE TAG Filed March 28, 1933 4 She'ets-Sheet 3 Nov. 7, 1933. c. L.-FORTINBERRY LOCK STRIP LICENSE TAG Filed March 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 7, 1933 PATENT OFFICE LOCK STRIP Charles L. Fortinberry,

LICENSE TAG Jackson, Miss., designer to Henry G. Fortinberry Jackson, Miss., and Sheldon B. Fortinben-y, Atlanta, Ga.

Application March 28, 1933. Serial No. 663,204

25 Claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 576,570, filed November 21, 1931 for a License tag locking device. The matter common to the two applications includes a method of forming automobile license tags to prevent removal of the tags from their supporting brackets without some indication that such removal had been attempted or efiected.

The main object of the invention is to provide a license plate adapted for use on automobiles which can be very easily applied toa supporting bracket, but which is practically impossible to remove therefrom without destruction of the identification indicia of the plate.

Another object of the invention is to'provide a device of this character with a novel securing means which makes it practically impossible to remove the license plate as a whole from its sup porting bracket without mutilating part of the license plate and thereby showing clearly that the plate had been tampered with or had been removed from proper position.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the detailed description thereof proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a license plate embodying the present invention, and shown as applied to a supporting bracket extending across the front end of an automobile;

Figure 2 is a. rear view, in perspective illustrating one form of a lock strip forming part of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the rear side of the upper part of a license plate embodying this invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front view, in perspective, of the plate shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective of the front side of the lock strip shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevation of the upper part of the license plate, shown in the preceding figures, as applied in finished form to a supporting bracket;

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective of the upper part of the license plate developed toshow the method of stamping the same from a blank;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section through a modified form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 8;

Figure 10 is a front view in perspective of the upper part of a license plate constructed as 11- 55 lustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a front elevation of the upper part of anothermodified form of the invention;

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on the line 1212 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a horizontal section taken on the same line 1212 of Figure 11, but showing the parts of the license plate and lock strip in different relative positions;

Figure 14 is awfragmentary front elevation, similar to Figure 11, but showing the lock strip indicia plate in final position;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a lock strip indicia plate adapted for use in the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 11 and 14;

Figure 16 is a vertical transverse section through the upper part of a license plate and lock strip as applied to a supporting bracket by means of a bolt of special construction, also shown in section;

Figure 16a is a view similar to Figure 16 of a slightly modified form of the invention.

Figure 1'? is an exploded perspective of the bolt illustrated in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a view in perspective illustrating a lock strip attachment adapted to be applied to the upper end of an automobile license plate and to a supporting bracket;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a blank from which the attachment shown in Figure 18 is struck; Figure 20 is a view in perspective illustrating the attachment as applied to a license plate in a different manner from that shown in Figure 18;

Figure 21 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2121 of Figure 18;

Figure 22 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2222 of Figure 20; and

Figure 23 is a fragmentary elevation of a tire rack to which one form ofthe present invention is adapted to be applied.

As illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, a license plate embodying the present invention is secured to a supporting bracket 2 extending across the front end of an automobile 3. The license plate proper comprises a plate 4 of sheet material divided by a groove 5 into two parts the lower part 6 of which is designed to receive the usual license number 7. The upper part 8 is designed to have the. name of the State stamped at the center part thereof, and is provided with substantially rectangular cut out portions 9 and 10 through which a lock strip bearing other license data can be exposed.

The plate 4 is stamped out of a sheet of metal or other material, as illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings. The upper part 8 of the plate 4 is cut to form substantially rectangular cut out portions or recessed areas 9 and 10 by depressing part of the plate 4 to form the tabs 11 and 12, respectively. The tabs 11 and 12 may be omitted, as shown in Figure 160.; but, it is preferable to use them as hangers to strengthen the connection between the license plate and the supporting bracket. The upper edge of the notch 10 is cut. out to form a recess 13 for a purpose to be described later. The plate 4, above the part 8 is bent around a line 14 coincident with the inner edge of the notch 13. This line 14 separates the part 8 from a channel forming flange 15. The flange 15 is formed by bending the plate 4 around a line 16 parallel to the line 14, and, in its final position, lies parallel to the indicia bearing part 8 of the plate 4.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the back of groove 5 forms a shoulder adapted to support the lower edge. 1'? of a lock strip 18 designed for insertion in the channel formed by part 8 and flange 15. To secure the lock strip in locked position on the plate 4, the said strip 18 is provided with a series of latches 19, 20, 21 and 22 depressed rearwardly of the front face of the lock strip 18, as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. Cooperating latches 23, 24, 25 and 26 are formed on the flange 15 in a direction opposite to that of the latches 19, 20, 21 and 22, so that when the strip 18 is slid along the channel formed by the part 8 and flange 15, the latches cooperate to prevent withdrawal of the strip after it has once been inserted in proper location on the license plate; that is, after it has been inserted in such position that the year indicia 2'7 and 28 (see Figure 5) are exposed in the notches 9 and 10 formed in the part 8 of the plate 4.

In addition to the latches 23, 24, 25 and 26, the flange 15 is depressed inwardly to form a stop 29 against which the end 30 of the lock strip 18 abuts when fully inserted in the license plate. The stop 29, obviously, prevents the sliding of the lock strip 18 clear through the channel; and, with the cooperating latches, prevents withdrawal of the strip in either direction after the end 30 shall have made contact with the stop.

To secure the license plate 4 to the bracket 2, the tabs 11 and 12, formed by cutting the notches 9 and 10, are provided with slots 33 and 34, respectively, adapted to receive rotatably a nut 35 having a head 36 threaded on the shank of a bolt B of peculiar construction for securing the license plate to the bracket. The flange 15 is also provided with slots 37 and 38 adapted to register with the slots 33 and 34, respectively, when bent into channel forming position. These pairs of registering slots 33-37 and 34-38, are of course designed to register with similar slots 39 and 40' formed in the bracket 2.

To insure the proper operation of the stop 29, the free edge 41 of the stop is spotwelded to the rear face of the indicia bearing part 8 of the plate 4. To prevent access to the lock strip 18 through the joint formed by the lower edge of the flange. 15, with the rear face of the plate 4, this lower edge is bent to form a shoulder 42 and a flange 43. The shoulder 42 seats under the tongue formed on the rear side of plate 4 by depressing the front of plate 4 to form the groove 5; and the flange 43 is spotwelded, as indicated by the numeral 44 to the rear face of the plate 4 and below the groove 5. This construction,

screwthreadedto receive the internal along with stop 29, provides a lock strip receiving channel sealed along the top and bottom and one end to prevent access to the strip after the insertion in itschannel.

It is evident that the strip 18 can be inserted into its channel only from the lefthand end oi the license plate, as shown in Figure 4; and, that when this strip is moved into contact with the stop 29, the cooperating latches on the strip and the flange 15 prevent retraction of the strip from its channel. It must be understood that the cooperating latches .on the lock strip 18 and the flange 15 shall be made of such length so that when the strip is pushed into the channel, the latches will yield sufliciently to permit the passing of each other in one direction, but will spring back to prevent withdrawal of the strip in the opposite direction.

The bolt employed for securing the license plate to the bracket 2 is of peculiar construction, and is designed to preventrotation thereof from the rear of the supporting bracket 2. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, this bolt B comprises a screwthreaded shank 45 extending from a substantially conical head 46. The head 48 is extended to form flange 47 around the screwthreaded shank 45; and this flange forms a cylindrical bore 48-somewhat larger than the diameter of the shank 45 and arranged concentrically therewith. The flange 47 is provided with diametrically opposite keys 49 and 50 of the same width as the registering slots formed in the tabs 11 and 12, in the flange 15 and in the supporting bracket 2. These keys 49 and 50 are, of course, intended to seat in the slot of the bracket 2, as shown in Figure 12 of the drawings, to lock the bolt against rotation. The screw-. threaded shank 45 projects slightly beyond the ends of the keys 49 and 50, and is externally screwthreads of the head 36. As shown in Figure 16 of the drawings the head 36 is preferably provided with a slot 51 to receive the end of a screwdriver S (see Figure 12) for the purpose of rotating the head 36 of the nut 35 on the shank 45 of the bolt.

The head 36 of the nut 35 is of the same diameter as the widest part of the bolt B. This construction is designed to prevent anyone inserting a tool through the registering slots 39 and 40 to rotate the nut 35 on its bolt. This head 36 may be made smaller than the widest diameter of the bolt 13 for this purpose. In any case, it must be large enough to straddle the registering slots formed in the tabs 11 and 12 so as to clamp the license plate securely to the supporting bracket 2. The head 46 and the flange 47 of the bolt B are preferably made of case hardened steel and conical in shape so as to prevent anyone securing a firm grip thereon by means of pliers or a pipe wrench.

It will be apparent from Figures '7, 12, 16 and 1'1, that after the license plate 4 has been secured by the bolt B and nut 35 to the bracket 2, and after the lock strip 18 has been inserted in position to expose the year indicia 27 and 28, the heads 36 of the nuts will be covered by the lock strip 18 and cannot be manipulated in anyway to effect removal of the plates from the supporting bracket 2.- The lock strip 18 is provided with transverse crimps 52 and 53 formed on the strip 18 so that if any attempt is made to flatten the latches 19, 20, 21 and 22, the crimps will 'Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

into locking engagement with the latches 23, 24, 25 and 26.

As shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. the widest part of each of the latches 19, 20, 21 and 22 is about twice the width of the spaces 54 extending from the ends of these widest parts to the opposite edges of the strip. The strip 18 is also provided with a series of indentations 55 in alignment with the widest parts of the latches 19, 20, 21 and 22, By this construction, the spaces 54 on the lock strip 18 are made considerably weaker than the .ioint between each of the latches 19, 20, 21 and 22 and the main body of the, strip, so as to insure a complete fracture of the strip along the indented lines 55 if any attempt be made to flatten the latches 19, 20. 21 and 22 against the main body of the lock strip.

It will be observed from Figure 2 of the draw-- ingsthatthelatch21isnarrowerthanthelatches on either side of it. The formation of this narrow latch is to prevent undue retrograde play of the strip in its channel after insertion in the channel against the stop member 29. In Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, the lock strip is shown as weakened between the figures designating the year of the license by means of a groove 56. When the license plate is completely assembled and secured on the bracket 2, the year indicia is symmetrically arranged below the notch 13 and the line 56 substantially bisects this notch 13. Whenever it becomes necessary to renew the license strip without removing the license plate, all that is necessary to effect removal of the lock strip is to insert a screwdriver or similar tool below the lower edge of the strip 18 and break the strip 18 along the weakened line 56.

The notch 13 permits the lock strip 18 to be broken clear across the line 56. When this break occurs, the short section 57 of the lock strip 18 can be removed by pulling it to the left, as shown in Figure 6, and the long section 58 of the strip 18 can be removed by pulling it in the opposite direction to that of the latch members 19, 20, 21 and 22. of course, the breaking of the strip in this manner will necessitate the substitution of a new strip, since the old strip cannot be rearranged in place. The act of breaking the strip mutilates it and fractures the enamel so that it is not possible to reunite them without showing clearly that the strip has been tampered with.

m the modification shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lock strip comprises two parts 59 and 60 of stantially equal length and adapted to be inserted from opposite ends of the license plate. In this form of the invention, the channel at the upper. end of the license plate is formed in the same manner as in the modification illustrated in The backwall 61 of the channel is provided with a latch 62 extending in the opposite direction to a stop wall 64 at the center of the backwall 61. The backwall 61 is also provided with a latch 65 extending in the opposite direction to that of a stop wall 67. These latches and stop walls are formed by stamping them out of a plateof material in the same manner as illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings.

The lock strip 59 is provided with a latch 68 adapted to cooperate with the latch 62 to lock the strip in the channel when the strip 59 is properly inserted in the channel with its inner end against the stop wall 64. Similarly, the strip .60 is provided with a latch 70 cooperating with the latch 65 to lock the strip 60 in position after insertion in the channel with its inner edge against the stop wall 67. The plate as a whole-is provided with slots adapted to register with similar slots in the bracket 2 and to be secured to said bracket 2 by bolts 72 and 73 similar to the bolts illustrated in Figures 16 and 17.

In this form of the invention, the strips 59 and 60 are provided with grooves 74 and 75, similar to the groove 56 in the form of the invention shown in Figure 5. The frontplate 76 of the channel is provided with two cutout portions '16 and 77 having recesses 78 and 79 formedto permit the breaking of the strips 59 and 60 along the grooves 74 and for the purpose of removing the strips from their positions in the channel. In other respects this construction is quite similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 to 8.

It frequently becomes necessary to mount the license plates in confined spaces where it is not possible to mount the main body of the plate on the supporting bracket and afterward insert the lock strip. For example, in cases where the license plate is to be mounted on a tire carrier such as is illustrated in Figure 23 of the drawings. it is essential that the lock strip be partly inserted in its channel, as shown in Figure-23, or that it be slightly modified so that it can be completely inserted in this channel in one position, and moved, after the license plate is secured to the bracket, to a proper position in which the year indicia are exposed.

The modification in which the strip is completely concealed in the channel prior to fixing the plate as a whole to a supporting bracket is illustrated in Figures 11 to 15, inclusive. In this form of the invention, the license plate em- 110 ployed is similar in every respect to that illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. The several parts thereof are therefore designated with the same reference numerals. The essential diflerences reside in the locking strip 80 which is 115 substituted for the locking strip 18 used in the first described form of this invention.

The strip 80 is similar in every respect to the locking strip 18, except that it is slightly shorter and is provided with two circular openings 81 and 82 slightly less in diameter than the heads 36 of the nuts 35. Adjacent to the opening 81, the lower edge 17' of the strip 80 is provided with notches 83 and 84 adapted to be engaged by the point of a screwdriver, or similar tool, for sl'iding the plate 80 from its initial position to its final locked position in which the indicia 27 and 28 becomes exposed in the notches 9 and 10 of the plate 4. All of the other elements of the plate 80 are similar to the corresponding elements of the plate 18 and are given the same reference numerals.

The initial position of the strip 80 is shown in Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings and its final position is shown in Figures 13 and 14. It will be observed, however, that the strip 80 is somewhat shorter than the strip 18, but the latches 19, 20, 21 and 22 have the same spaced relation to each other and to the indicia. 27 and 28 as have the corresponding parts of the strip 18. The reason for this decrease in the length of the strip will become evident from inspection of Figures 12 and 13 of the drawings. The openings 81 and 82 are arranged relative to the latches and to the year indicia on the strip 80 so that when the strip 80 is positioned in the channel of the plate 4 with its left hand end substantially flush with the left hand end of the channel, the openings 81 and 82 will be located immediately in front of the heads 36 of the nuts used to se- 150 cure the plate 4 to the supporting bracket 2. It will be observed that, in this position, the plate 80 is whollyconcealed within the channel. However, it will also be observed, that the strip 80 cannot be withdrawn from the channel because at least two of the latches 21 and 22, are in position relative to the latches 24 and 25 so as to prevent such withdrawal.

This type of license plate is well adapted for mailing purposes with the screws assembled, and with the locking strips arranged so that they cannot be withdrawn from the channel of the plate 4, but give access to the heads 36 of the nuts 35 for securing the plate 4 to the supporting bracket. When the plate is received by the user in the form shown in Figures 11 and 12, it is an,easy matter for such user to rotate the heads 36 of the nuts 35 on the bolts B to separate the shanks of the bolts from such heads and permit the application of the plate 4 directly to the supporting bracket 2.

When the shanks of the bolts are properly located in the slots of the supporting brackets, the nuts 35 may be properly secured thereto by applying a screwdriver to the heads thereof and rotating them on the shanks of the bolts B. After the license plate 4 has been rigidly secured to the supporting bracket 2, the screwdriver may be then applied to the notches 83 and 84 to slide the locking strip 80 into its final position shown in Figures 13 and 14, in which the openings 81 and 82 are concealed behind the front plate of the channel and the year indicia 27 and 28 of the plate 80 are exposed in the openings provided by the notches 9 and 10.

Another modification is illustrated in Figure 23. In this form, the license plate is identical withthat shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings and the lock strip is identical with the strip 18, shown in Figure 5, except that it is provided with an aperture 85 adapted to register with the head 36 of the left hand nut when the end 30 of the strip just clears the right hand nut. The license plate in this modification is intended to be mailed or delivered with the left hand end of the strip projecting outwardly from the left hand end of the plate as shown in Figure 23 to permit the user to mount the license plate on the supporting bracket; and, after mounting this plate, to move the strip fully into locking position within the channel; thereby exposing the year indicia in the same manner as in the other forms of the invention.

The modification illustrated in Figures 18 to 22 takes the form of an attachment adapted to be applied to a license plate 86 of standard construction. This attachment is stamped out of a plate 87 of sheet metal, or any other suitable material. The plate 87 is divided into three substantially rectangular zones 88, 89 and 90. The intermediate zone 89 has a rectangular window 91 cut therethrough to expose the State identifying indicia on a lock strip 115. The zone 89 is provided with slots 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 and 97. The slots 92, 93 and 94 form three sides of a rectangle and the part of the zone 89 included between these slots constitutes a tab 98. Similarly, the slots 95, 96 and 97 form three sides of a rectangle around a tab 99. The zone 89 is folded rearwardly about the lines 100 and 101 until it is parallel with the rear face of the zone and forms therewith a channel to receive a lock strip somewhat similar to those already described and bearing the year indicia.

The zone 88 is folded around the lines 102 and 103 and into contact with the back of zone 90. The plate 37 is provided with the slots 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 and'109 so arranged that the slots 104, 105 and 106 will register with each other when the plate is folded into the finished position shown in cross section in Figure 22 of the draw ings. Similarly the, slots 107, 108 and 109. are arranged to register with each other when the plate is folded into its finished position. These pairs of registering slots are, of course, symmetrically arranged on 'oposite sides of the central slot 91 so that the attachment can be applied to a license plate of standard construction, and, with that plate, can be attached to a supporting bracket 2.

The tabs 98 and 99 might be cut out entirely but it is preferable to leave them in the plate to serve as reinforcing means. It will, therefore, be noted from Figure 19 of the drawings that the slots 92 and 94, and 97 extend all the way to the line 100. In the finished attachment, these tabs 98 and 99 are bent inwardly flat against the face of the zone 90, as shown in Figure 22 of the drawings. The tabs, therefore, form a reinforcementat the weakest portion of the attachment for securing the attachment and license plate rigidly to the supporting bracket 2.

The lower zone 90 is provided with the latches 110, 111, 112 and 113 and with a stop 114 similar to the stop 29 illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. It is understood that a lock strip 115 will be provided with correspondin latches to lock the strip in proper position and to expose the year indicia through window 91 and to cover the heads of the nuts 116 and 117 cooperating with the usual bolts for securing the strip and license plate to the bracket 2. This attachment can be applied directly to the face of the license plate 86, as shown in Figure 22 of the drawings, or it can be slipped over the upper edge of the plate 86 as shown in Figure 21. The latter mode of securing the attachment to the license plate 86 may be more convenient, because it can be easily positioned on the license plate and will be held in position thereon by the friction between the zone 88 and the zone 89 as will be clear from consideration of Figure 21 of the drawings.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it is obvious that changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages; the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A license plate stamped from a substantially rectangular sheet of material, said sheet being crimped parallel to one of its edges to form a shoulder on the rear face thereof and being bent rearwardly to form a flange parallel to and spaced apart from the body of the plate, the free edge of the flange being bent around and under the said shoulder and permanently secured to the rear face of said plate, said flange being provided with slots adapted to receive devices for securing the plate to a holder, said plate being provided with sight openings opposite to said slots, a strip having indicia formed thereon for exposure through said openings, cooperative means on said strip and flange to permit the sliding of the strip in one direction between the flange and plate and to prevent the sliding therethe end of the strip is substantially in contact in the flrst named direction the indiciaon said one side thereof, said plate having a sight openstrip being exposed in said sight openings when with said stop.

2. A license plate stamped from a substantially rectangular sheet of material, said sheet being crimped parallel to one of its edges to form a. shoulder on the rear face thereof and being bent rearwardly to form a flange parallel to and spaced apart from the body of the plate, the free edge of the flange being bent around and under the said shoulder and permanently secured to the rear face of said plate, said flange being provided with slots adapted to receive devlcu for securing the plate to a holder, said plate being provided with sight openings-opposite to said slots, a strip having indicia formed thereon for exposure through said openings, cooperative means on said strip and flange to permit the sliding of the strip in one direction between the flange and plate and to prevent the sliding thereof in the opposite direction, and a stop formed on the flange to limit the movement of the strip in the flrst named direction, the indicia on.said strip being exposed in said sight openings when the end of the strip is substantially in contact with said stop, the opening nearest to said stop being formed to expose the opposite edges of said strip.

3. A license plate stamped from a substantially rectangular sheet of material, said sheet being crimped parallel to one of its edges to form a shoulder on the rear face thereof and being bent rearwardly to form a flange parallel to and spaced apart from the body of the plate, the free edge of the flange being bent around and under the said shoulder and permanently secured to the rear face of said plate, said flange being provided with slots adapted to receive devices for securing the plate to a holder, said plate being provided with sight openings opposite to said slots, a strip having indicia formed thereon for exposure through said openings, cooperative locking means on said flange between said slots and on said strip between the indicia formed thereon to permit the sliding of the strip in one direction between the flange and plate and to prevent the sliding thereof in the opposite direction and a stop formed on the flange near one end thereof to limit the movement of the strip in the first named direction, the indicia on the strip being exposed in said sight openings when the end of the strip is in contact with said stop, the opening nearest the stop being formed to expose the opposite edges of said strip and the part of said strip exposed in said opening being weakened transversely to permit fracture thereof without mutilation of the license plate.

4. A support having an aperture formed therethrough, a license plate having the upper part thereof bent rearwardly to form a flange parallel to and spaced apart from the body of the plate, said flange ha an aperture registering with the aperture in said support, and said plate having a sight opening formed therein opposite the aperture in said flange, a bolt having the shank thereof passing through the registering apertures of said flange and support, said bolt having a flange engageable with the aperture in said support to prevent rotation of said bolt, a nut on said bolt having a part extending through the aperture in said flange, and means slidably mounted between said plate and flange and closing said sight opening to prevent access to said nut through said opening.

5. A license plate having a flange parallel to ing formed therethrough, said flange having an aperture therethrough opposite said opening, a bolt having the shank thereof extending through the said aperture and having a nut thereon in contact with said flange, said nut having a part thereof rotatable in the said aperture, a strip slidably mounted between the plate and flange to cover said nut, and cooperating means on said flange and strip to lock the strip in position to cover said nut,

6. A license plate having a flange parallel to one side thereof, said plate having a sight opening formed therethrough and said flange being provided with an aperture opposite said opening, a bolt having the shank thereof extending through the said aperture and having a nut thereon in contact with said flange, said nut having a part thereof rotatable in the aperture of said flange, astrip slidably mounted between the plate and flange to cover said nut, said strip having indicia forming part of the license plate assembly and adapted to be exposed through said opening, and cooperating means on said flange and strip to lock the strip in position to prevent access to the nut and to expose the indicia through said opening.

7. A license plate having a part thereof bent rearwardly to form' a flange parallel to and spaced apart from the body of the plate, said flange having a slot therethrough and the plate being cut away opposite the slot to form a sight opening, a bolt having the shank thereof extendinginto said slot, a nut rotatable on said shank and having a part thereof extending into said slot, the bolt having means disposed in said slot to prevent rotation of the shank and the nut having a head extending from the end thereof across the opposite edges of said slot, and means having indicia visible through said sight opening and mounted between said plate and flange to prevent access to the head of said nut.

8. A support having a slot therethrough, a license plate having a flange parallel to one side of the body of the plate, said flange being provided with a slot registering with the slot in said support, a bolt having a shank and provided with means engageable with said slot in said support to prevent rotation of said shank, a nut rotatable-on said shank and having part thereof rotatable at least in the slot of said flange and having a head extending across the slot in said flange to clamp the same to said support, said plate having a sight opening opposite the slot in said flange, a strip slidably mounted between said plate and flange and having indicia on one face thereof, and cooperative locking means on said flange and strip to prevent access to said nut when the strip is in indicia exposing position between said plate and flange.

9. A support having a slot therethrough, a license plate having a flange parallel to one side of the body of the plate and provided with a slot registering with the slot in said support, a bolt having a shank and provided with means engageable with the slot in said support to prevent rotation of said shank, a nut rotatable on said shank and with part thereof rotatable in the registering slots of said support and flange and having a head extending across the slot in said flange to clamp the same to said support, said plate having a sight opening opposite to the slot in said flange, a strip slidably mounted between said plate and flange and having indicia in one face thereof and having an aperture therethrough to register with the head of said nut when the strip is in a predetermined position between said plate and flange, and cooperative locking means formed on said flange and'strip to lock the strip when moved to indicia exposing position and prevent access to the head of said nut.

10." A support having a pair of slots therethrough, a license plate having a flange parallel to one side of the body of the plate and provided be exposed through said openings and having apertures therethrough to register with the heads of said nuts when the strip is in a predetermined position between said plate and flange, and cooperative locking means formed on said flange and strip to lock the strip when moved to indicia exposing position and prevent access to the heads of said nuts.

11. A bolt adapted to secure a license plate to a support and comprising a head shaped as a cone and having a cylindrical recess extending through the lime of the cone, the axis of the recess being substantially coincident with the axis of the cone, 9. screwthreaded shank of less diameter than the diameter of the recess extending from the circular end wall of said recess and coaxial therewith and projecting outwardly from the base of the cone, and a nut on said shank having a cylindrical part adapted to move into and out of the hollow cylinder formed between the surfaces of said shank and recess.

12. A bolt adapted to secure a license plate to a support and comprising: a head shaped as a cone and having a cylindrical recess extending through the base of the cone, the axis of the recess being substantially coincident with the axis of the cone, a screwthreaded shank of less diameter than the diameter of the recess extending from the circular end wall of said recess and coaxial therewith and projecting outwardly from the base of the cone, and a nut on said shank having a cylindrical part adapted to move into and out of the hollow cylinder formed between the surfaces of said shank and recess, the base of said cone having a lug projecting therefrom to engage said support andprevent relative rotation of the bolt and support.

13. A bolt adapted to secure a license plate to a support and comprising: a head shaped as a cone and having a cylindrical recess extending through the base of the cone, the axis of the recess being substantially coincident with the axis of the cone, a screwthreaded shank of less diameter than the diameter of the recess extending from the circular end wall of said recess and coaxial therewith and projecting outwardly from the base of the cone, and a nut on said shank having a cylindrical part adapted to move into and out of the hollow cylinder formed between the surfaces of said shank and recess, said nut including a head projecting as a flange from said cylindrical par and a lug projecting from the base of'said cone to engage said support and prevent relative rotation of the bolt and support.

14. A support, a license plate, clamping-means having part thereof extending through said plate and support and operable only from the face of the plate remote from said support for detachably clamping said plate to said support, a separate indicia bearing strip narrower than said 11-- cense plate and permanently flxed in a predetermined position on said plate to prevent a plate releasing operation of said means without mutilation of said strip, said strip being weakened in the region of the indicia to cause rupture of the plate across the indicia upon the bending of said region to give access to said clamping means.

15. A support, a license plate, clamping means having part thereof extending through said plate and support and operable only from the face of the plate remote from said support for detachably clamping said plate to said support, an indicia bearing strip slidable in one direction on said plate to a predetermined position over the operable end of said means, cooperating means on said strip and plate for locking said strip in said position to prevent a releasing operation of said clamping means without mutilation of said strip, said strip being weakened in the region of the indicia to cause rupture of the plate across the indicia upon the bending of said region to give access to said clamping means.

16. A license plate, adapted to be secured to a slotted support, said plate having a recessed area adapted to receive the tool-receptive end of a device for fastening said plate to said support, a separate indicia bearing strip adapted to be secured in said recessed area overlying said toolreceptive end to prevent access to the same while said strip is intact, the latter being weakened in the region of said indicia whereby by rupturing said'strip in said weakened region access may be had to said tool-receptive end for unfastening said plate.

17. A license plate adapted to be secured to a support, said plate having a recessed area adapted to receive the tool-receptive end of a device for fastening said plate to said support, a separate indicia bearing strip adapted to be secured in said recessed area overlying said tool-receptive end to prevent access to the same while said strip is intact, said strip having a weakened line inter- 125 secting said indicia whereby by rupture of said strip along said line access may be had to said tool-receptive end for unfastening said plate with incidental destruction of said indicia.

18. A license plate constructed to form a substantially straight strip-receiving channel having a stop at one end, one wall of said channel being provided with spaced apart cut-out portions forming indicia display windows, the other wall being provided with bolt receiving apertures accessible through said windows, bolts having their shanks extending through said apertures and having their nuts accessible only through said windows, and an indicia bearing strip slidably positioned in said channel with one end spaced apart from said stop and having apertures smaller than said nuts to register therewith and permit the application of a tool thereto, said strip and one wall of said channel having cooperating 1 means to prevent withdrawal of the strip from said position in a direction away from said stop but permitting sliding movement toward and against said stop, said strip having indicia on' parts concealed by said channel when in said po- 150 sition and fully visible through said windows only when substantially in contact with said stop.

19. The structure of claim 18 in which said strip is provided with means for sliding the strip in said channel toward said stop.

20. The structure of claim 18 in which the window nearest the stop is provided with a notch exposing one edge of said strip to facilitate breaking of the strip across the indicia bearing part exposed at said window and the removal of the broken parts through said window.

21. The structure of claim 18 in which the window nearest the stop is provided with a notch exposing one edge of said strip to facilitate breaking of the strip across the indicia bearing part exposed at said window and the removal of the broken parts through said window, said indicia bearing part being weakened transversely to facilitate breaking thereof and the removal of the broken parts through said window.

22. A license plate having a substantially straight strip receiving channel provided with a stop intermediate its ends, one wall of said channel being provided with spaced apart cut-out portions forming indicia display windows, the other wall being provided with bolt receiving apertures accessible only through said windows, bolts having their shanks extending through said aper tures and having their nuts accessible only through said windows, strips slidable into said channel and over said nuts from the opposite open ends thereof toward said stop, said strips having indicia thereon adapted for exposure through said display windows only when the adjacent ends of the strips are in contact with the opposite sides of said stop, said channel and strips being provided with cooperating means to prevent withdrawal of the strips from said channel when the strips are located in indicia exposing position.

. 23. A license plate having a substantially straight strip receiving channel provided with a stop intermediate its ends, one wall of said channel being provided with spaced apart cut-out portions forming indicia display windows, the other wall being provided with bolt receiving apertures accessible only through said windows, holts having their shanks extending through said apertures and having their nuts accessible only through said windows,;strips slidable into said channel and over said nuts from the opposite open ends thereof toward said stop, said strips having indicia thereon adapted for exposure through said display windows only when the adjacent ends of the strips are in contact with the opposite sides of said stop, said channel and strips being provided with cooperating means to prevent withdrawal of the strips from said channel when the strips are located in indicia exposing position, said dispiay windows being provided with recesses to expose the edges of said strips when positioned in said channels and to facilitate breaking of the strips across the indicia bearing parts thereof when said strips are in display position in said channel.

24. A license plate having a substantially straight strip receiving channel provided with a stop intermediate its ends, one wall of said channel being provided with spaced apart cut-out portions forming indicia display windows, the other wall being provided with bolt receiving apertures accessible only through said windows, bolts having their shanks extending through said apertures and having their nuts accessible only through said windows, strips slidable into said channel and over said nuts from the opposite open ends thereof toward said stop, said strips having indicia thereon adapted for exposure through said display windows only when the adjacent ends of the strips are in contact with the opposite sides of said stop, said channel and strips being provided with cooperating means to prevent withdrawal of the strips from said channel when the strips are located in indicia exposing position, said strips being weakened across the indicia bearing parts thereof to facilitate breakage of the strips across the indicia bearing parts and to provide for the removal of the broken parts from said channel through said windows.

25. A bolt adapted to secure a license plate to a support and comprising a head having a cylindrical recess extending through one face thereof, a screwthreaded shank of less diameter than the diameter of the recess extending from the circular bottom wall of said recess and coaxial therewith and projecting outwardly from said face, and a nut on said shank having a cylindrical part adapted to move into and out of the hollow cylinder formed between the surface of said shank and recess.

CHARLES L. FORTINBERRY. 

